South Carolina First Steps To School Readiness Board Of Trustees

PER SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SECTION 59-152-10: THERE IS ESTABLISHED THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS, A COMPREHENSIVE, RESULTS- ORIENTED INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING, THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS, AND SUPPORT FOR HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD ENABLING THEIR CHILDREN TO REACH SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED.

EARLY EDUCATION: EARLY HEAD START-A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION, PARENTING AND FAMILY SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL SUPPORTS AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PREGNANT WOMEN WITH CHILDREN AGE 3 AND UNDER, YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. FAMILIES RECEIVE WEEKLY HOME VISITS BY EARLY HEAD START STAFF AND TWO GROUP MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY FOR ENROLLED PARENTS AND FAMILIES.

HEALTH: EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL- A PROGRAM FOCUSED ON INCREASING DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS TO APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. IF A PARENT SUSPECTS DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, THIS RESOURCE CAN BE USED ACROSS THE BOARD (E.G. ALL IN CHILDREN IN A CHILDCARE CENTER) OR TARGETED TO PROVIDE SCREENINGS AND REFERRALS ONLY TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REFERRED BY PARENTS, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, ETC. WEEKEND BACKPACK FEEDING PROGRAM-MANY OF THE CHILDREN THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM HAVE NO WAY FOR THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS TO BE MET ON THE WEEKENDS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS NEED, THE WEEKEND BACKPACK FEEDING PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO DELIVER PACKS OF NUTRITIOUS, CHILD-FRIENDLY, NONPERISHABLE, EASILY CONSUMED AND VITAMIN-FORTIFIED FOOD PACKED IN BACKPACKS EACH WEEK TO AT-RISK ELEMENTARY STUDENTS.

PARENTING SUPPORT: INCREDIBLE YEARS- A SERIES OF GROUP-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR PARENTS, CHILDREN AND TEACHERS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL FITNESS AND PREVENT, REDUCE AND TREAT BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN UP TO AGE 12. THIS PROGRAM TARGETS PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORKING PRIMARILY WITH CHILDREN AGES 3-8, AS WELL AS CHILDREN DIRECTLY. DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY- A BOOK GIFTING PROGRAM THAT MAILS FREE, HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH UNTIL THEY BEGIN SCHOOL, REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME.

CORE FUNCTIONS SCHOOL TRANSITION: COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN- IS DESIGNED TO 1. ESTABLISH LASTING HOME-SCHOOL BONDS ROOTED IN TRUST AND MUTUAL RESPECT; 2. ENABLE PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO REACH COMMON UNDERSTANDINGS OF BOTH FAMILIAL AND CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR; AND 3. ESTABLISH STRONG STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL FACILITATE THE HOME-SCHOOL TRANSITION AND ENHANCE CLASSROOM LEARNING.